This is fabulous.

I just did my first commute (13 km or about 8 miles) in the pouring rain this morning. (I had commuted before but it was dry.)

What a pleasure!

As long as one is properly dressed, and has fenders, it's just a happy moment. Made me feel like a kid again. Oh, and of course knowing there's a hot shower at the end of the route is also great.

GEAR REPORT:
I bought a pair of used nylon panniers that so far perform flawlessly (the best $10 I've ever spent!) and sprayed them with silicone stuff (the same thing that goes on shoes) preventively. I also stuffed my gear and everything in plastic bags. The panniers were wet but not soggy, and the plastic bags (and their contents) were dry, which is encouraging.

I was wearing rain pants over a pair of tri shorts, and a wool longsleeve top under my ordinary rain coat. Unfortunately the rain coat is a bit damaged inside the elbows and rain is seeping through, but it's not that bad if it's not too cold out there. I'll wear my heavier rain jacket in the winter when it's colder rain. Some rain entered at the neck too but nothing really bad.

I had my beaten up Merrell hiking shoes on, and they were wet on the outside, but not on the inside. I'll wear my shoe covers next time probably. Wool socks kept my feet warm.

I had a couple of blinkies on for added visibility.

On my shopping list are:
- A helmet cover
- Pannier covers (for heavier rain)

On my to-do list are:
- Install better lights

I'm really a happy, joyous cycling commuter!